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 naturescapes studio....
.....is composed of husband and wife team Dale W. and Linda Stiles Smith. Both native Midwesterners, they grew up close to the Great Lakes. Their work is often infused with the stuff of nature: lakes, streams, woods, fields, and light!
Creating art and crafts all her life, Linda earned a BFA at Wright State University in 1995. Although fascinated with and studying several media in college, she earned a fellowship to Yale Summer School of Art for her skill in painting. As the primary designer of the duo, Linda is a a talented multi-media artist. She is currently creating jewelry in silver metal clay and incorporates glass beads and gemstones into the designs. "New designs are popping out of my head every day!'
Dale's love of things in glass goes back to 1977. Trained in the traditional (non-power tool) method of stained glass work, he is a master craftsman. His foray into lampworking has expanded his vocabulary of glass-work. Items made in glass often incorporate both of these methods. Bead making has become a consuming avocation for him.
Linda has taught many courses in art history, marketing and studio art. Her broad experience and teaching skill has afforded her students the opportunity to learn and grow from her knowledge. Earning certification as a Senior Art Clay World Instructor in 2005 and PMC in 2006, she continues to learn new techniques to share. Combining skill in teaching and knowledge of materials with an open and caring attitude, (and oodles of patience!) Linda enables students to discover and experience the media that she loves. A variety of classes and workshops are offered in her studio and at cooperating shops and art centers.
 It was inevitable that Dale would begin sharing his love for his media. He began teaching classes in lampworking at area art centers in January 2005, and now teaches small groups in our home studio. A room full of lighted hot-head torches is not necessarily a comfortable place to be! But Dale's skill and competence as an instructor is welcomed by an ever growing circle of students. Dale is an experimenter and loves to try new things, so you'll never know what beads he'll turn out today!
Together, Linda and Dale instill their work with the creative energy of the universe. Choosing to work primarily with nature themes, they have combined their individual talents to create a unique product selection. Those who own a piece of their art say they are uplifted by the beauty and meaning that is an integral part of each work created by naturescapes studio.
Our Memberships
OACG, Ohio Arts and Crafts Guild
ODC, Ohio Designer Craftsmen
THE GUILD, Michigan Guild of Artists and Artisans
PMC GUILD, Precious Metal Clay Guild
ACS, Art Clay Society
NAIA, National Association of Independent Artists
AWARDS
Carpe Beadum Contest, 2009, Metal Clay Today online magazine.
Polly's Picks, 2009 Your Design Rocks International Competition, Rings & Things Co., Spokane, WA
Best of Competition(tied) and First Place, Bracelets, 2006 Bead Arts Awards, Lapidary Journal
First Place Metal Clay, 2006 International Design Competition, Rings & Things Co., Spokane, WA
Second Place Fine Crafts, 2006 Festival of the Arts, St. John West Shore Hospital, Westlake, OH
Bronze Award Metal Clay, 2006 Fire Mountain Gems Beading Contest, Grants Pass, OR
Honorable Mention, 2006 Art Clay World North American Design Competition, Chicago, IL
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